Rotary grave-digging excavator



Jan. 6, 1953 G. A. STEECE ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Nov. 17, 1947 IN VEN TOR. GE QGE f2 .STEEcE BY (fia mwkm G. A.STEECE ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR Jan. 6, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 17, 1'94? INVENTOR.

Jan. 6, 1953 G. A. STEECE 2,624,129

ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR Filed Nov. 17, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR.

PTTOB/VEYS 1953 G. A. STEECE ROTARY GRAVE DIGGING EXCAVATOR 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 17, 1947 INVENTOR. Gaoeef 1Q STEECE G MMWAYTTOPA/Exs drum 28. This chain 2| extends over a pulley 22 on a shaft23 that is journalled in bearings carried on frame members 5, 1 that areat the opposite end of the machine from shaft l5. The end of the cableor chain 2| extends downwardly from pulley 22 and is secured to the endframe member 24 of frame I9 that is opposite 'end member |8 with whichcable I1 is connected.

The cables I7, 21 preferably connect with the end frame members I8, 24centrally between the ends of the latter or at such points where theframe I9 is substantially balanced horizontally when suspended from saidcables l1, 2|. O-bviously the points where they connect may varyaccording to the distribution of weight on frame |9, although any numberof cables may be used from any desired points if desired and foundnecessary.

Upon rotating the gear H1 in the direction permitted by pawl l2, theframe l9 will be elevated. Drums I6, are of the same diameter, hence theends of frame |9 will be elevated at the same rate of speed. Uponreleasing pawl 12, frame 19 will readily fall under the influence ofgravity, and the operator may control the descent by controlling thespeed of gear H1.

The frame I9 is adapted to move vertically Within the vehicle frame fromthe top of the latter to a substantial distance below the surface of theground and below the vehicle frame.

Side frame members 26 of frame |9 connect the corresponding ends of endframe members 8, 24 and carry racks 21 extending longitudinally ofmembers 26 with the teeth of the racks directed upwardly. Two pairs ofpinions 28 are supported on said racks, being secured on the ends of ahorizontal shaft 29, and the pinions of the other pair being in axialalignment and rotatable on stub shafts 30.

The ends of shaft 29 are journalled in bearings carried at the upperends of brackets 3| (Figs. 1, 3) while stub shafts 30 are secured to theupper ends of similar brackets 32.

The brackets 3| are secured to and project upwardly from one end of aplatform 33 while the brackets 32 are at the opposite end of saidplatform. Thus the platform 33 is suspended from shafts 29, 38 and thelatter are supported, through pinions 28, on racks 21. Horizontalreciprocation of the platform 33 on racks 21 will occur upon rotation ofshaft 28.

Shaft 29 has a pair of gears 35, 36 (Figs. 1, 6) secured thereto. Theteeth of gear 35 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of a segmental gear31 while the teeth of gear 36 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of asegmental gear 38.

Gears 31, 38 are respectively secured on aligned shafts 39, 40 that arejournalled in bearings carried by platform 33. The adjacent ends ofshafts 39, 40 have bevel gears 4|, 42, the teeth of which are in meshwith the teeth on a bevel gear 43 that, in turn, is secured on a shaftjournalled in a bearing on platform 33. This gear 43 is secured on apower driven shaft 44 (Fig. 6) that is connected in any suitable manner,as by chain or' belt 46 (Fig. 1) with a driving shaft 41 on motor 48,said motor being on platform 33. On the diagrammatic view (Fig. 6) theshaft 41 on gear box is indicated as extending directly from the motor48 for simplicity in the showing. Upon rotation of gear 43 the teeth ongear 31 will rotate shaft 29 sufficiently to move the platform from oneend of the racks to the other end. As soon as the platform reaches saidend, the

the pinions of one pair teeth of gear '31 will move out of engagementwith the teeth on gear 35 and into the untoothed portion and the teethon oppositely rotating gear 38 will engage the teeth of gear 35 to drivethe platform to the opposite end of the racks. As long as shaft 44 isrotated the platform 33 will reciprocate horizontally between the endsof the racks. The number of teeth on the segmental gears 31, 38 andtheir relative arrangement are such as to cause the desired degree ofreciprocable movement of the platform.

Motor 48 has a power take off shaft 50 that carries a pulley 5|. Pulley5| is connected by belt 52 with pulley 53 on shaft 54. The pulleys 5|,53 may be multi-V-belt pulleys or sprockets and chains may be usedinstead if desired, the principal thing being a suitable means fortransmission of power.

v The shaft 54 is rotatably supported on platform 33 in suitablebearings and carries bevel gears 55, 56 that are rigidly securedthereto.

The bevel gear is in mesh with the teeth of a bevel gear 51 that is onshaft 58. Shaft 58 is journalled in bearings supported on platform 33and has a sprocket 53 secured thereto (Fig. 6).

Bevel gear 56 is in mesh with a bevel gear 60 that is secured on shaft6|. Shaft 6|, like shaft 58, is journalled in bearings supported onplatform 33, and a sprocket 62 is secured on said shaft 6 I.

Below platform 33 is a pair of horizontal, elongated earth diggingrotors 63, 64 that extend transversely of said platform or at rightangles to the direction of reciprocatory travel of platform 33.

These rotors are secured on shafts 65 that are respectively journalledin bearings carried in the lower ends of hangers 66 (Fig. 4) that aresecured to the end and frame members 61, 68 of frame 33 and whichhangers are adjacent the ends of said frame.

Rotors 63, 64 each have cylindrical sections 10,

1| (Figs. 5, 6) secured on shafts 65. The section 10 is between each setof hangers 66 and extends to said hangers, while two sections 1| arerespectively at opposite ends of each shaft 65 and outwardly of thehangers 66. Thus the hangers 66 extend between each'end section 1| andthe central section 18 of each rotor.

Each end section 11 carries cutting blades or cutters 12 (Fig. 3)projecting axially outwardly of the opposite outer ends of said sections1|, and these cutters also project outwardly of the oppositely outwardlyfacing sides of side frame members 68 and also project radiallyoutwardly of the shafts 65 a sufficient distance to extend slightlybeyond the end members 61 of platform 33.

Each shaft 65 has a sprocket 15 secured thereto between one of thecorresponding end sections 1| and central section 10, and a sprocketchain 16 connects one sprocket 15 with sprocket 59 while the other chainconnects the other sprocket 15 with the sprocket 62 (Fig. 4). Thesesprocket chains extend through openings in a cylindrical guard 11secured on each of the hangers 66 that are adjacent sprockets 15.

The cylindrical sections 10, 1| that are secured on shafts 65 carryradially outwardly projecting earth digging spikes or elements 18thereon and which spikes may be arranged in rows extendinglongitudinally of the rotors and in staggered relation so as to performa substantially uniform cutting of the earth from end to end of therotors.

While practically no self sustaining ridge of earth will remain in theaps between the sec.- tions I0, ll under normal :conditions, liproyidedownwardly and oppositely outwardly extending stationary cutters 19 onthe lower sides of guards 11 that aresufiicient to cut off any suchridges.

The rotors-63, 64 are connected "with motor ,49 for revolving inopposite directions with the glower sides of the rotors moving toward.each =:other whereby the earth that is dug by the rotors will tend to bethrown into the space between said rotors by centrifugal :force.

Between said rotors is :a horizontally extending endless conveyor 89that extends longitudinally of said rotors, and which conveyor :is sup-;ported overa platform -8I that is elongated to ex-tend longitudinallyof said conveyor :and that :is preferably transversely inclined from itslongi- .tudinally extending edges to a central ,point below saidconveyor (Fig. 4). Bearings on said .platform support tend convergentlyupwardly pastthe side edges ;.of said conveyer while downwardly .andinward- .ly inclined .side members 83 extend over the up- .per rim ofthe conveyer and keepmaterialo-n the latter from falling onto theplatform.

The platform BI is secured atone end to a depending hanger 84 thatissecured to platform -33 or to the frame of said platform 33, while theother .end of the platform 8| may besecured to the lower end of anelevator housing 89 that in turn extends upwardly through an opening inplatform '33 and that is secured to one of the frame members 68 ofplatform 33 (Fig. 5).

The end sections H of rotors 63, 64 have blades 99 secured thereto andprojecting from the peripheral sides of said sections to a distancespaced inwardly from theouter ends of the digging spikes or elements 18.These blades 99 generally extend in a spiral direction relative to theaxis of each rotor shaft 85 and are inclined (Fig. 6) so as to throw thedirtfrom the ends of the rotors generally inwardly onto the conveyer 8'9and toward the center of the conveyer. Thus the earth that is dug by thesections II that are at opposite sides of the elevator housing will forthe most part .clearsaid housing and be deposited on the conveyer.

The central sections II! of the rotors have straight blades 9! thatassure throwing of the dug earth upwardly and over the sides 82 .of"platform ,8! and onto the conveyer.

The conveyer platform is as low as possible between the rotors and thejunctures between the sides '82 thereof and the platform 81 form cuttingedges '92 that tend to cut into any heaps ofloose earth or'loosenedearth that may not .be thrown over sides 82.

Shields .93 above "the rotors (Fig. '3) tend'to prevent; any ofthethrown earth from going around "there-tors after it is once betweenthem. "The blades 99, 9| also functionas cutting blades, ialthoughthemain digging is doneby the spikes "I8. The-degree to which 'the'blades'99, "9| and spikes '18perform the cutting action depends greatly uponthe character of the soil. In more or less sandy soil or'light loamthebla'des may do much of the digging, whilein harder and heavier soil,"thespikes do-mos'tof 'the digging 'or loosening.

At one end of conveyer 88 "isthe upwardly extending elevator housing 89that encloses "a bucket elevator 95. The buckets revolve in "a-sliglitsump 96 at'their lower ends and move-in a direction away fromthe end of the conveyer so iasmotztoitend to'pile dirt'on the conveyer."The .lower shaft of the .elevator: has apulley 91 "that the conveyor,and sides :82 .ex" 1 connects tby belt :98 with the end pulley 99 ofconveyer .80. Elevator is driven bya chain II III) that connects asprocket I01 on motor driven shaft 54 with a sprocket 1.02 .onjshaftI03. Shaft I03 carries a sprocket I94 in mesh with the chains 1 05.0fthe bucket elevator (Fig. 5) Suitable idlers such as is indicated at I20(Figs. :1, v5., 7.) :may be employed to direct the upper and lower runsof chain I00 as desired.

Theupper endof the .elevatormay be lateral- ..lyextended asat I-06 inthe conventional .mannerforconveying theearth carried by said elevatorto apoint outwardly of one side of the vehicleframe for discharge atsaid point.

.Any suitable means, such ,as-a cable :IIi'I (Fig. 1;) extending to adrum I98 may be employed'for raising or for lowering the outer end of:extension I06. No'claim is ,made to this structure in itself.

In order to insure against the tilting of the frame I9 during raisingand lowering thereof, vertical, elongated 'V-.guide strips IIIl (Fig. 2)are rigidly secured to the vehicle frame adjacent the four corners ofthe frame I9, and complementarily formed V-slides III are secured toframe I9 adjacent its four corners. The slides III engage guide strips II0 and thus hold frame I9 level at all times. If desired, the slides -III can be quicklyremoved from frame I9 by unbolting their lower endstherefrom and by collapsing the collapsible horizontal brace elements H2that extend between the parts of slides III at each end of frame I9.

In operation, the vehicle frame is rolled to a position over therectangular grave plot where the grave is to be dug. The frame I9 is inelevated position and the downwardly projected area belowsaid frame willpractically define the outline of grave or opening to be dug in theearth.

After the vehicle 3 is in the desired position the wheels 2 are blockedby any suitable means such as blocks I I5 (Fig. 1) and the motor 48isstarted. This motor may be electrical or gasoline .according to thefacilities available. The carriage comprising the platform 33 willimmediately commence its reciprocatory movement, and the rotors willrevolve oppositely as :already de scribed. The operator then lowers the.frame I9 by releasing gear I0, and the rotors will commence to dig thegrave.

It is to be noted that :the-endlimits of rthe reciprocatory movement ofthe rotors issuch'tha-t the earth will be loosened to aipoint beyond theend members I9, 24 of frame I9,-.while the :end cutters on the rotorswill digbeyond thesides-of frame l9.

Astheearth'is dug the operatormay lower the rotors by release of gear I0:and the-grave will be;dug to progressively lower depths. Thesides andends of the excavation -will 'be smooth and square.

It is also to be noted that each'of the rotors will only move abouthalfthe length of the grave, .thusthe reciprocatorymovement of the platform33 is not great. The excavation is quite rapidly formed byreasono'ftheshortstroke of the T0- :tors.

After the grave is dug, "the :motor may "be stopped, if desired, and theframe I9 and-platform 33 elevated from the grave and *the ma chine maybemoved to the nexltplot.

While the motor-may be connected'tothe shaft I 5by any well knownconventionalmeansfor -ro- :tating shaft.-I5, lihlSiiS usualLvnotfound-neces saryinasmuch as the operator can readily manipulate gear NJto the same end. Also the motor may be connected with the vehicle wheelsif desired, so as to drive the vehicle, but this would merely add to theexpense of the machine, which can readily be pulled by a man to anynormally positioned lot, or a drawbar can be connected with the eye 120(Fig. 1). for pulling the vehicle.

I claim: 7

l. A grave digger comprising a pair or" earth digging rotors in side byside relationship adapted for digging into the ground upon rotation ofsaid rotors and upon lowering said rotors into the ground, means forrotating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for reciprocationhorizontally transversely of their axes during said rotation, means forso reciprocating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for bodilydownward movement during said rotation, and conveyor means for movingthe earth dug by said rotors away from the latter. a

' 2. A gravedigger comprising a pair of earth digging rotors in side byside relationship adapted for digging into the ground upon rotation ofsaid rotors and upon lowering said rotors into the ground, means forrotating said rotors in opposite directions for moving the earth dugthereby to between said rotors, means supporting said rotors forreciprocation horizontally transversely of their axes during saidrotation, means for so reciprocating said rotors, means supporting saidrotors for bodily downward movement by gravity as a unit during saidrotation, means for controlling the rate of speed of said downwardmovement, and conveyor means between said rotors for receiving the earthdug by the latter and for moving said earth away from said rotors to apoint above the ground.

3. A gravedigger comprising a pair or" earth digging rotors in side byside relationship adapted for digging into the ground upon rotation ofsaid rotorsand upon lowering said rotors into the ground, means forrotating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for reciprocationhorizontally transversely of their axes during said rotation, means 'forso reciprocating said rotors, means supporting said rotors for bodilydownward movement by gravity during said rotation, holding means forreleasably holding said rotors from said downward movement duringreciprocatory movement of said rotors, means for releasing said holdingmeans for permitting said downward movement under the influence'ofgravity, and conveyor means connected with said rotors for downward andreciprocatory movement therewith and for moving the earth dug by saidrotors away from the latter.

4. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontalreciprocable movement and for downward movement into the ground, a pairof horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriagefor movement therewith and in spaced side by side relation extendingtransversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means forrotating said rotors oppositely so their lower sides move generallytoward each other for throwing earth dug thereby by centrifugal force tobetween said rotors, conveyer means between said rotors for receivingthe earth so thrown and for carrying said earth away from said rotors.

5. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontalreciprocable movement and for downward movement into the ground, a pairof horizontally. elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriagefor movement therewith and in spaced side by side relation extendingtransversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means forrotating said rotors oppositely so their lower sides move generallytoward each other for throwing earth dug thereby by centrifugal force tobetween said rotors, a conveyor between said rotors extendinglongitudinally thereof for receiving the earth so thrown by the latterand for moving said earth in one direction to one end of said rotors, anelevator at said one end for receiving the earth moved thereto and forelevating it for discharge at a point above the ground.

6. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontalreciprocable movement and for downward movement into the ground, a pairof horizontally elongated earth digging rotors carried by said carriagefor movement therewith and in spaced side by side relation extendingtransversely of the direction of movement of said carriage, means forrotating said rotors oppositely so their lower sides move generallytoward each other for throwing earth dug there'- by by centrifugal forceto between said rotors, conveyer means between said rotors for receivingthe earth so thrown and for carrying said earth away from said rotors,means intermediate the opposite ends of said conveyors and spaced fromsaid ends supporting said rotors for rotation thereof, cutters on theends of said rotors for cutting earth at said ends during downward andhorizontal reciproeatory movement of said rotors.

7. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontalreciprocable movement and also for downward movement into the ground,means for so supporting said carriage, a pair of horizontally elongatedearth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith andin spaced side by side relationship extending transversely of thedirection of movement of said carriage. means on said carriage connectedwith said rotors for simultaneously rotating them on their axes inopposite directions so their lower sides will move generally toward eachother for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors,cutters on the ends of said rotors and bearings spaced from said endssupporting said rotors on said carriage, the said rotors having radiallyprojecting earth digging members for digging said earth.

8. Ina gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontalreciprocable movement and also for downward movement into the ground,means for so supporting said carriage, a pair of horizontally elongatedearth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith andin spaced side by side relationship extending transversely of thedirection of movement of said carriage, means on said carriage connectedwith said rotors for simultaneously rotating them on their axes inopposite directions so their lower sides will move generally toward eachother for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors,cutters on the ends ofsaid rotors and bearings spaced from said endssupporting said rotors on said carriage, the said rotors having radiallyprojecting earth digging members for digging said earth, said means forso supporting said carriage including a wheel mounted vehicle adapted tomove over the ground.

9. In a gravedigger having a carriage supported for horizontalreciprocable movement and also for downward movement into the ground,

means for so supporting said carriage, a pair of horizontally elongatedearth digging rotors carried by said carriage for movement therewith andin spaced side by side relationship extending transversely of thedirection of movement of said carriage, means on said carriage connectedwith said rotors for simultaneously rotating them on their axes inopposite directions so their lower sides will move generally toward eachother for delivering earth dug thereby to the space between said rotors,cutters on the ends of said rotors and bearings spaced from said endssupporting said rotors on saidcarriage, the said rotors having radiallyprojecting earth digging members for digging said earth, a horizontallydisposed frame having tracks thereon for supporting said carriage forsaid reciprocable movement of the latter, and a vehicle frame adapted tobe supported on the surface of the ground supporting said horizontallydisposed frame for downward movement thereof.

10. In a gravedigger that includes a wheel mounted vehicle frame adaptedfor movement over the ground, a horizontally disposed frame within theconfines of said vehicle frame, means supporting said horizontal frameon said vehicle frame for downward movement of said horizontal frameinto the ground and to a position below said vehicle frame, a carriage,a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors mounted on saidcarriage in spaced side by side relationship, means on said horizontalframe supporting said carriage and rotors for bodily reciprov mounted onsaid carriage in spaced side by side cable movement as a unit in adirection transversely of the said rotors between positions at twoopposite sides of said frame with one of said pair projecting laterallybeyond said frame at said opposite sides respectively, means forsimultaneously rotating said rotors so their lower sides will movetoward each other for delivering earth dug thereby to the space betweensaid rotors, power means for so reciprocating said rotors as a unit andmeans on said carriage supporting an elevator thereon for movementtherewith, conveyer means on said carriage for conducting earth dug bysaid rotors to said elevator.

11. In a gravedigger that includes a wheel mounted vehicle frame adaptedfor movement over the ground, a horizontally disposed frame within theconfines of said vehicle frame, means supporting said horizontal frameon said vehicle frame for downward movement of said horizontal frameinto the ground and to a position below said vehicle frame, a carriage,a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors relationship,means on said horizontal frame supporting said carriage and rotors forbodily reciprocable movement as a unit in a direction transversely ofsaid rotors between positions at two opposite sides of said frame withone of said pair projecting laterally beyond said frame at said oppositesides respectively, means for simultaneously rotating said rotors sotheir lower sides will move toward each other for delivering earth dugthereby to the space between said rotors, power means for soreciprocating said rotors as a unit and means on said carriagesupporting an elevator thereon for movement therewith, conveyer means onsaid carriage for conducting earth dug by said rotors to said elevator,rigid guides on said vehicle frame engaging said horizontal frame forholding the latter against lateral movement during said movement of saidhorizontal frame into the ground.

12. In a gravedigger that includes a wheel mounted vehicle frame adaptedfor movement over the ground, a horizontally disposed frame within theconfines of said vehicle frame, means supporting said horizontal frameon said vehicle frame for downward movement of said horizontal frameinto the ground and to a position below said vehicle frame, a carriage,a pair of horizontally elongated earth digging rotors mounted on saidcarriage in spaced side by side relationship, means on said horizontalframe supporting said carriage and rotors for bodily reciprocablemovement as a unit in a direction transversely of said rotors betweenpositions at two opposite sides of said frame with one of said pairprojecting laterally beyond said frame at said opposite sidesrespectively, means for simultaneously rotating said rotors so theirlower sides will move toward each other for delivering earth dug therebyto the space between said rotors, power means for so reciprocating saidrotors as a unit and means on said carriage supporting an elevatorthereon for movement therewith, conveyer means on said carriage forconducting earth dug by said rotors to said elevator, the meanssupporting said carriage and rotors for reciprocable movement includingpinions carried by said carriage, and horizontal parallel racks on saidhorizontal frame supporting said pinions thereon with the teeth of saidpinions in mesh with the teeth of said racks.

GEORGE A. STEECE.

No references cited.

